Body no. 8999

• First owned by Sir John Jarvis Bt MP
• Known ownership history from new
• Featured in several books on the marque
• Present ownership since 2011
• Unused since acquisition
• Requires recommissioning

A handsome 'Derby' Bentley with unique coachwork, chassis number 'B190LS' was delivered new in April 1938 to Sir John Jarvis, Conservative Member of Parliament for Guildford in Surrey, who is best known for his philanthropic and industrial efforts to assist the Tyneside town of Jarrow during the economic depression years of the 1930s.

Originally registered 'EXP 1', the Bentley was bodied by Hooper & Co, London-based carriage makers to Queen Victoria and King Edward VII and arguably the finest of all British coachbuilders. Described in factory records as a 'special sports tourer', it features wind-up windows and a fully retractable convertible hood which, when erected, offers 'all-weather' protection. A Bosch wireless set formed part of the specification also.

Sir John Jarvis died late in 1950 and the following January the Bentley was purchased by Harold Webb of Rickmansworth, who kept the car until 1963 when it was sold to the Duchesne family of Wimborne, Dorset. The Bentley was subsequently sold to Leonard Potter of Newbury, a well-known motoring personality and connoisseur of fine automobiles. Mr Potter kept the Bentley for three years, during which time a complete restoration was undertaken. The engine was rebuilt and tuned by Daniel Richmond of the famous Downton Engineering, who, among other things, raised the compression ratio and fitted Bensport manifolds and Bentley Continental carburettors and exhaust system. Downton Engineering also rebuilt the gearbox, brakes and suspension. The engine tune is said to have resulted in greatly increased power without loss of reliability, and Potter noted that the car had superlative road performance and would exceed 100mph while returning an excellent 20-plus miles per gallon.

In October 1966 Potter sold 'B190LS' to the late Jack Nethercutt, whose famous Nethercutt Collection is recognised as one of the world's finest. The Bentley remained in the Nethercutt Collection in San Sylmar, California for five decades, benefiting from regular expert maintenance and limited usage in the region's dry and sunny climate. Without question it is Nethercutt's sympathetic custodianship that ensured the car's survival.

Our vendor purchased the Bentley at a UK auction in June 2011. The car comes with an Oldtimertaxatie Valuation Report dated April 2024. This report concludes that the car is 'complete and in very original condition but in need of restoration/reconditioning'.

'B190LS' has featured in many books on the marque, including Johnnie Green's Bentley - 50 Years of the Marque and Bentley - The Silent Sportscar by Michael Ellman-Brown. Offered with a European registration document, this is an important and stylish Derby Bentley with great provenance and significant history, finished in its attractive original livery of Royal Blue with black wings. The car has not been used since acquisition and will require recommissioning before returning to the road.

Please note that this vehicle is from outside the UK. Our customs agents, CARS UK, will manage all post sale customs administration. A fee of £350+VAT will be charged on the buyer's invoice to administer both import or export customs movements. If the buyer also chooses to ship with CARS UK, this will be quoted separately. If this vehicle is to remain in the UK, it will be subject to Import VAT at the reduced rate of 5% on the hammer price. This vehicle will not be available for immediate collection after the sale and will only be released on completion of customs clearance formalities. If you have any questions regarding customs clearance, please contact the Bonhams Motorcar Department.